Translocation

Glossary

translocation

A type of chromosomal abnormality in which a chromosome breaks and a portion of it reattaches to a different chromosomal location.

A genetic change in which a piece of one chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome. Sometimes pieces from two different chromosomes will trade places with each other. Translocations may lead to medical problems such as leukemia, breast cancer, schizophrenia, muscular dystrophy, and Down syndrome.